EurasiaNet Eurasia Insight - Opposition Leader in Kazakhstan Ordered Released from Prison

EURASIA INSIGHT

OPPOSITION LEADER IN KAZAKHSTAN ORDERED RELEASED FROM PRISON
Ibragim Alibekov 8/12/04

A leading opposition figure in Kazakhstan has been ordered released from prison, but is due to remain confined under a form of house arrest. The release terms indicate that Galymzhan Zhakiyanov, a leader of the party Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan, would be prohibited from taking an active part in politics.

An administrative court decision allowed for Zhakiyanov’s transfer from prison to a closely monitored "settlement" in the northern Pavlodar region of Kazakhstan. There, he would live effectively on probation, under the constant scrutiny and subject to punishment if he tries to engage in political activity.

Zhakiyanov was sentenced to a seven-year prison term in 2002 upon conviction of abuse of power charges. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

His supporters maintain the criminal case was politically motivated, designed to punish Zhakiyanov for his political opposition to President Nursultan Nazarbayev. [For additional information see the Eurasia Insight archive].

The prison release occurred with just over one month left before Kazakhstan holds parliamentary elections September 19. Some political analysts believe the country’s new Minister of Information, Altynbek Sarsenbayev, played an instrumental role in securing Zhakiyanov’s transfer, figuring that such action would help improve Kazakhstan’s electoral image. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Opinion differed concerning the impact that Zhakiyanov’s transfer on Kazakhstani politics. Sabit Zhusupov, head of the Kazakhstan Institute of Socioeconomic Data and Forecasting, doubted the news concerning Zhakiyanov would provide much of a boost to the DCK’s flagging political fortunes. According to recent public opinion polls, DCK trails far behind the pro-presidential parties Otan and Asar.

Nazarbayev critics, meanwhile, maintain that authorities continue to worry about Zhakiyanov’s ability to rally opposition to Nazarbayev. Petr Svoik, a prominent Nazarbayev critic, suggested in comments published by Navigator, an opposition web site, that Zhakiyanov’s actual transfer might be delayed until after the parliamentary elections.

Editor�s Note: Ibragim Alibekov is the pseudonym for a Kazakhstan-based reporter and analyst.

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